Green & Grow

The Green & Grow workforce development program offers young people the opportunity to join a team of professionals that are the designated stewards of an important public park in downtown Boston.

Through the program, young people gain first-hand experience in sustainable horticulture practices and learn how to take care of the Greenway and help create a welcoming, healthy and environmentally-friendly park for all.

What is Green & Grow?

Green & Grow is a workforce development program that helps young Bostonians become effective and reliable employees through working and learning in an urban park. The program combines job readiness training with career exploration, environmental education, academic support, team-building, personal attention from mentors and attractive compensation. 

What will the participants learn?

Through a summer internship and a school-year apprenticeship program, Green & Grow participants get to work in an exciting urban green space, build horticulture skills and learn about park maintenance and event management. 

What are the goals?

They are to:

  • offer engaging academic and job experiences to prepare the young people of Boston for continued education or future employment;
  • foster job readiness skills in young Bostonians;
  • build participants knowledge and skill in the field of horticulture and event management; and
  • empower young people with the responsibility to take care of the Greenway and other urban green spaces

Who is eligible?

Green & Grow is open to all who are: 

  • a resident of Boston,
  • between 17-20 years old, and
  • enrolled in the Boston Public School system, or enrolled in a GED program.

Green & Grow offers participants two opportunities to develop job readiness skills in the parks: an apprenticeship and an internship.

Apprenticeship

The apprenticeship is paid and runs after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as Saturdays from September through June.

Green & Grow Apprentices:

  • work directly with Conservancy staff to gain hands-on experience in horticulture, park maintenance and event support;
  • receive support in writing resumes and preparing for interviews;
  • participate in the Junior Achievement of Eastern Massachusetts job readiness program;
  • explore a variety of environmental careers through education and/or employment;
  • receive academic support through tutoring and GED-preparation
  • engage in experiential learning activities that promote environmental sustainability and civic engagement; and
  • go on educational excursions.

Internship

The internship is paid and occurs for eight weeks from early July through August.

Green & Grow Interns:

  • work side by side with horticulture staff to gain hands-on experience maintaining an urban park; or
  • work directly with the program department to help implement park programs and events on the Greenway

(for the internship only, or a recent graduate from the Boston Public School system or a GED program).

For more information about the Green & Grow Program, please contact Kent Jackson at  617-603-7731 or kjackson@rosekennedygreenway.org.

 

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